PepsiCo’s new video series “Food for Thought” brings audiences into candid conversations with the leaders shaping the company. In the premiere episode, host Chris Manzini, head of Global Communications, sits down with Chairman and CEO Ramon Laguarta to explore PepsiCo’s growth ambitions. From fortifying North America to capturing growth internationally and expanding the away-from-home business, Ramon explains how innovation, transformation and a sharpened focus on consumers are driving the company forward.
Ramon Laguarta on PepsiCo’s 2030 plan to fuel growth
In the debut of “Food for Thought,” PepsiCo’s Chairman and CEO talks candidly about evolving the company for a changing world.
I’m super excited about this 2030 strategy because it’s focused on growth.
CHRIS MANZINI: Hi, everyone. I’m Chris Manzini and welcome to “Food for Thought,” a new series where we sit down with some of PepsiCo's top leaders for real, insightful conversations. To kick things off, we have a very special guest today, our Chairman and CEO Ramon Laguarta. Let’s jump in.
RAMON LAGUARTA: Let’s go.
CHRIS MANZINI: We talk a lot about 2030 strategy. Do we start there or do we start where we are today? And the reality is we don’t have to choose because everything we’re doing today sets us up for then, right.
RAMON LAGUARTA: I’m super excited about this 2030 strategy because it’s focused on growth. Actually, we call it, “Hungry and Thirsty for Growth.” There’s three things [that are] big pillars of this strategy. One is fortifying North America. The second one is capturing the big growth we have in international. And the third pillar is the Away-from-Home business. Those are the three big pillars of the strategy. The opportunity is great and we have a high right to succeed.
CHRIS MANZINI: You just laid out a really clear structure for how we can all think about growth. Let’s double click on a few of those things as we talk about it.
RAMON LAGUARTA: That makes sense.
CHRIS MANZINI: We’ve got NKD Doritos here.
RAMON LAGUARTA: I love this one here.
CHRIS MANZINI: So a lot of change in our portfolio, a lot of innovation. What are you most excited about?
RAMON LAGUARTA: The last year has been incredible. Big brand relaunches like Lay's or Tostitos. Talking more about the food, talking more about the ingredients. Clearly, the consumer is telling us, “We want more nutritional density. I want more functionality with my food and my drink.” So protein, fiber, prebiotics, powders. We’re taking bold moves. I like it.
CHRIS MANZINI: So one of the other pivots you talked about was away-from-home and meals. What are some of the things that you saw either as an opportunity that we have as a company or an insight in terms of consumer behavior that’s driving us towards meals?
RAMON LAGUARTA: More and more food occasions and beverage occasions are happening away from home. Snacks and meals are merging or blurring. Those two are big opportunities for us to innovate against it.
CHRIS MANZINI: That’s hugely exciting.
RAMON LAGUARTA: Thank you very much, Chris. I really enjoyed the conversation. Let’s have a cheers with a Pepsi Prebiotic and enjoy our NKD Doritos.
CHRIS MANZINI: Thank you.